Circular knitting machine



Jul 29, 1941. c. SMITH EM; 2,250,658 CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE FiledDec. 31, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l IHVENTUR-S EAL EB SMITH CHARLES 1? N0BABE ATTIJRNEY CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 31, 1938 sSheets-Sheet 2 INVENTURS CAL EB SMITH 3/ CHARLES 1? Ma BABE ATTIJRN EYone continuous operation.

Patented July 29, 1941 CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Caleb Smith and CharlesP. McGabe, Seneca. Falls, N. 31.; said McCabe assignor to said SmithApplication December 31, 1938, Serial No. 248,685

19 Claims. (Cl. 66-13) This invention relates to improvements inknitting machines of the circular type adapted to knit articles ofhosiery or the like containing both ribbed fabric and plain fabricportions.

The invention pertains more particularly to" that class of knittingmachines adapted to knit long-legged or boot socks, the leg and footincluding the heel and toe portions, thereon in one continuous operationand which embodies two sets of knitting needles, a vertical orcylindrical set and a horizontal or dial set. One of the sets ofneedles, usually the dial set, has each needle thereof of the typecomposed of two separate members, a body or hook member and a latch orcast-off member mounted in sliding engage ment with each other.

Insofar as applicants are aware, knitting machines of the abovementioned'class have not generally been used heretofore to knit bootsocks V or the like having plain fabric, plain ribbed fabric' and halfcardigan ribbed fabric portions in Socks comprising these differentknitted portions have usually had the ribbed fabric or leg portion kniton one'maon another machine. This has necessitated the transfer of thefirst knitted portion from one machine to the second machine which isusually accomplished with the aid of a transfer ring.

When thus transferring a partially. knitted por-' tion, as the foot of asock, from one machine to another, the foot portion extending above theheel often varies in width or length due to the quills of the transferring not always being engaged with the same course of stitches. This notonly results in the finished socks havinglegs of different lengths butcauses waste of yarn by the operator ravelling the portion of thepreviously knitted fabric which extends above the stitches engaged bythe transfer quill,

It will be understood that various batches of yarn, although dyedsubstantially the same color,

"will vary somewhat in shade one'from the other. 'The first formed sockportions" are knitted in large quantities before finishing the secondportions and if there is not enough yarn ofv a given batch remainingafter the first f portions have been knitted to finish the secondportion of the socks, it is necessary for the operator to delayfinishing these partly knitted portions until such time as he is enabledto find a batch of yarn which corresponds in shade substantially to thatv of the yarn of the first knitted'sock portions.

This 'hasresulted in'much' time and effort being consumed in estimatingthe correct number of J sock portions to be'knit-on-the first machinefrom a given batch of yarn in order toconsume the remainder of the batchof yarn when knitting the remaining portion of the socks on the secondmachine.

The main object of this invention is to provide almachine employingtwo-part needles of the above mentioned class for knitting sockscomprising plain fabric and plain ribbed fabric 10" with a half cardiganribbed fabric portion in with means whereby the sock may be formedaddition to the other two portions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a V device for producing ahalf cardigan ribbed fabno on a knitting machine for knitting boot socksor the like which isadapted to be used either on a two-feed or a singlefeed machine.

A further object of the invention is tdprovide acircular knittingmachine for knitting a plain fabric, aplain ribbed fabric and a halfcardigan ribbed fabric in onecontinuous operation which v is simple,automatic and positive in operation Y form of the structure and relationof the parts circular knittingmachine embodying the various i 'structed.chine and the plain fabric or foot portion kniii 5 and which may beeconomically and durably con- Other. objects andadvantages pertaining.to the thereof will more fully appear from the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 7

Figure 1 is a detail vertical sectional-view,

partly in elevation, through the dial needles and the associated drivemechanism therefor of a features of this invention;

Figures-2' and3,are detailhorizontal sectional views taken substantiallyon lines 2 -2-and 3-3,

respectively, of Figure 1, illustrating an intermittent drive for a dialneedle switch cam.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 1,-illustrating on a reduced scale 1 more orless diagrammatically themanner of automatically moving the intermittent drive into and out-ofoperation.

Figure 5 is a detail horizontal sectional view Y taken on line 55,Figurei l a Figure 6-is -a detail horizontal sectional view taken online 66,-Figure 1, illustrating the arm for operating-the needle switchcam and a double cam for operating said arm in elevation.

Figure "7 is a detail vertical sectional View taken substantially in theplane of the line 1-1, .Figurefi.

v Figure, 8 a horizontal sectional view taken substantially "on line 88,Figure 1, illustrating the dial cam carrier or housing and the needlecams associated therewith.

Figure 9 is a detail plan view illustrating the arm for actuating theneedle switch cam of this invention directly connected with a drivetherefor whereby my novel invention is adapted to be used moreparticularly with a two-feed knitting machine.

Figure 10 is a detail plan view illustrating more or lessdiagrammatically a modfiedform of my novel needle switch cam which maybe used to produce a half cardigan ribbed fabric.

Figure 11 is a detail plan view similar to Figure 10 illustrating astill further .mo'dified form of my novel needle cam.

Figures 12 to 19, inclusivepare:enlargedvertical radial sectional viewsillustrating various positions of the respective needles jduring theoperation thereof for producing a half cardigan ribbed fabric, saidviews being taken on Figure 8 as follows: Figure 12ton-line Figuresl13.-a,l1d:16

on line B, Figures 14 and -17on.line .CjFigure online D,'Fig-ure-l8on-line E an'd'Fi line F.

Figure is an elevation of a boot sockknit in .accordance with thisinvention.

The structure-shown in :the 1 drawings,- with' the exception of thatillustrated in Figure 9, is adapted more particularly for .a sing-lefeedcirg-ure --19 on cularsknitting machine of a'well-knowntype 'forknitting articles of hosiery containing both ribbed fabric and plainfabric portions in .one

continuous operation such as that disclosed in Patent-No. 1,641,101,issued August 30, 1927, to

R. -W. Scott and which employs a dial setof needles constructed oftwozparts substantially as disclosed in Patent No. .1,483,009,-issued toA. E. Page February 5, 1924, or Patent No. 1,583,233 issued November 24,1925, toR. -W.Sc0tt.

In other words our improvement :for knitting machines pertains moreparticularly to a cir- .cularhosiery. knittingmachine employingacylinderset of needles of the-conventional swinging latch type and a dial set ofneedles of ;the twopart type, a loop drawing part .havinga hook provided.at one end and a latch or cast-off .part

provided witha pair of opposed return bent hooks mounted in slidingengagement with the first mentioned, part. Knitting machines of thistype, as disclosed .in the patents above referred to, have heretoforebeen 'used .for continuously knitting hosiery comprising both plainfabric and plain ribbed fabric in one continuous operation. However,these knittingmachines have not .been

adapted to knit an article of vhosiery containing a half cardigan'ribbedfabricportion'in addition to the plain "fabric and ,plain' ribbed"fabric portions. When it has heretofore been desired to knit anarticleof hosiery of this latter type,

it has "been necessary to knit the foot portionof the article which iscomposedof plain fa'bric on one machine and the leg-portion ofthearticle which comprises plain ribbed fabric and half cardigan ribbedfabric onanother'knitting'machine, as hereinbefore stated.

Applicants have,thereforeyprovided a simply constructed cam member whichis associated with the usual cam elements of the dial set of needles forproducing such relative movements of the hookand cast-off members ofthetwopart dial needles, and means for automatic-ally operating said camelement that two loops will be formed on each operative dial needle in asingle .feed knitting machine and then simultaneously .cast .off theloops during succeeding revo-' of any well-known conventional form suchas that disclosed in the hereinbefore mentioned .Patent No. 1,641,101and, inasmuch as this portion of the mechanism does not comprise anypart :of the instant invention, it is believed unnecessaryto illustratedor specifically describe the cylinder needles or the mechanism foroperating the same other than that which is shown in Figure 1 andillustrated more or less diagrammatically in Figures 12 to 19 inclusive,of the drawings.

In Figures'l ,to-8, inclusive, we haveillustrated a dial set of needlesofthe-two-partsliding type and ;means for operating the same to produce*alternatecourses-of plain stitches and half car- .digan or tuckstitches on a circular knitting machine ,of the single feed type. y

In the machineshown, theneedle carriers rotate and thecams arerelatively fixed, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. In thisstructure the dial camhousing or carrier, as 12.5, ispositioned within alatch guard 26 mounted .upon the frame (not sh'own) of the machine. Thelatch'guard 26, as illustrated, is connected to a supporting bracket,Z'Ihaving abearing 28 in which is rotatably mounted a verticallydisposed -dial'spindle;29 arranged to be in concentric relation with acylinder, indicated at 30, for supporting cylinder needles 3|.

1 The dial'spindle '29 extends a short distance above-the bearing 28:and has secured theretoa gear 33 which is in meshing engagement with .apinion -34 mounted'onone end of thestub' ishaft -35 journaled inrabearing 36 connected with the bracket 21. The other end of the stubshaft 35 has secured thereto a pinion '37 which'is-in meshingenegagement with a corresponding-gear --38 provided on the upper end ofavertically disposed .drive shaft 39 which may be rotated in unison withthe cylinder 30 by any suitable mechanism such as that indicated in thehereinbefore mentioned Patent No. 1,641,101.

A suitable gear housing 40 may, as indicated in Figure 1, be connectedwith the bracket '21 for enclosing the gears 33, '34, 31 and 38. The camhousing 25 rotatably receives the dial spindle :29 therethrough and isremovably secured to the-bracket 21, as illustrated at 42, Figure 1, so

as to remain stationary during rotation of the spindle.

Fixedly mounted upon'the spindle 29 beneath ithe cam housing :25 is adial 43 provided with radial grooves, as '44, for receiving the dialneedles "45.: Thereare at least as many of the grooves 44in the dial 43as there are occasionally idle needles 3| in the cylinder .30. Duringrib .knitting the idle cylinder needles-are withdrawnin'therusualzmanner due to the particular construction of 'aswitch cam(not shown) associated therewith .beneath thelevel of the dial needles45. The .position of'the dial 43 upon the dial rspindle 29 is such thatthe dial needles 45 will be -in cooperative alignment with theoccasionally tid'leicylinder needlesso that'when it is desired totransfer the stitches from/the dial needles to corresponding cylinderneedles, this may be readily accomplished in any well-known manner afteroperating the switch cam for the cylinder needles to bring said cylinderneedles into operation. I The dial needles 45 are operated by suitablecams on the relatively stationary cam housing 25 which is provided witha recess 41 extending inwardly from the lower side thereof adjacent thedial 43. The cam members for the dial needles comprise three transfercam elements'48, 48 and 50 which actuate the dial needles whentransferring the stitches carried thereby on to corresponding needlesmounted in the cylinder 38. Cam elements and 52 are for operating thedial needles when producing a plain ribbed fabric. The transfer camelements 48, 49 and 58 are usually mounted in the housing recess 41 soas to move from a lower operative position where they function toactuate the dial needles to an upper inoperative position out ofoperative engagement with the dial needles during the knittingoperation. Likewise, the knitting cam elements 5| and 52 are movablefrom a lower operative position where they actuate the dial needles toeffect knitting to an upper inoperative position out of operativeengagement with the dial needles during the transfer operation'andduring the knitting of plain fabric. The cam elements 48, 48, 50, 5| and52 maybe movedfromtheir lower operative position to the upperinoperative position by any suitable means and, inasmuchas this meansfor moving the cam elements to and from the operative position iswell'known to those skilled in the art and 'does not directly.eonstitute a portionof this invention, it islbelieved that it isunnecessary to further show or describe such a mechanism. i I

The cam element indicated at 53 is fixed relative to the housing andrecess 4! and functions in the usual manner to maintain the dial needlesin the inoperative position out of the path of movement of the cylinderneedles during the knitting of plain fabric. Also, this cam 53 positionsthe parts of the dial needles, as 45' and 45", during each revolution ofthe dial 43 and needles carried thereby so that the butts of saidneedles will be maintained in their respective paths of movement throughthe housing recess 41 to properly engage corresponding transfer camelements or knitting cam elements when either of said cam elements ismoved from the inoperative to the operative position.

As shown in Figure 8, the knitting cam elements 5! and 52 areconstructed in the conventional manner to actuate the dial needlesduring the stitching operation to produce a plain stitch, with theexception of cam element 52 which is provided with a recess 55 extendininwardly from the outer vertical face thereof behind the cam element 5!.In the recess 55 is mounted a cam element 56 which, together with themeans for actuating said element, comprises the novel structure of thisinvention.

The cam element 56 is secured to the lower end of a verticallydisposed'spindle 51 which extends downwardly through the upper wall ofthe housing 25 into the recess 55 adjacent the advance side of saidrecess. The cam element 56 has the outer side 58 thereof conforming incontour substantially to thatof the normal contour of the correspondingsid portion of the cam element 52 so that when the cam element 58 is inits innermost position, as indicated by full lines in Figures. said side58 will extend across the open 'side cf' recess 55 fo riguiding thebutts, as 59, of

the dial needle cast-off parts 45' in the conventional manner forstitching as said buttstravel. forwardly through the cam track or groove60? formed intermediate the cam element 52 and the .outerposition, asindicated by broken lines in Figure 8 during the production of acardigan stitch. For this purpose, the spindle 51 is extended somedistance above the housing 25, as

shown more particularly in Figures 1 and '7, and

has secured to the upper end thereof a crank arm 64 as by a screwmounted in a suitable aperture provided in split portions 64 formed onthe arm 64 adjacent the spindle 51, as illustrated in Figure 6.

The crank arm 64, as shown in Figure 7, is

provided with a pendent sleeve 65 which receives the upper end portionof the spindle 51 therein and has coiled thereon aspring 51 which hasone end connected with the; arm 64 and the other end with the housing 25for yieldinglyurging said arm and the, spindle 51 in a direction tomaintain the cam 56 ,in its innermost'position against the stop surface55 of the recess 55.

The arm 64 extends inwardly from the spindle 51 toward the dial spindle29, as indicated by 7 .full lines in Figure ,6 and has secured to theinner end thereof a roller 69, as illustrated in Figure '7. The roller69 projects upwardly from the adjacent end of the arm 64 into the pathof movement of a double faced cam Ill which is secured, as illustrated.to the lower end of a vertically disposed stub shaft H. The stub shaft1| extends upwardly through an eccentric disk 12 rotatably mounted in acircular aperture l3'providedin a bracket M which is secured asillustrated more particularly'in Figure 2, by screws E5 or othersuitablemeans to the bracket 21 adjacent the bearing member 28. The stubshaft TI is arranged in eccentric relation with the disk 12 and has theupper end'thereof extending a short distance above said disk and securedto a star wheel 16 comprising a portion of a Geneva movement forintermittently operating the cam 18.

The star wheel 16, as indicated more clearly in Figure 1, is positioneda short distance below the, lower face of'the gear 33 so as to beactuated by;

a drive pin 'I'lv secured to said gear 3 3 to extend downwardlytherefrom at one side of the axis of rotation thereof. The gear 33 isprovided with a circular pendent hub 18 which is adapted to be receivedin peripheral recesses 19 of the star wheel 16, as illustrated in Figure2, formaintaining the star'wheel against rotation during the idleportion of the movement of drive pin' 11. The hub I8 is provided with anarcuate recess a 88 in the side. thereof adjacent the pin H which is;adapted to align with theportions of the star wheel'iii adjacent theradial slots 8| formed'insaid wheel and to receive said'portions,therein during the rotation ofthe star wheel produced 1 bythe operation of the drive pin 11 thereon, as

will be readily understood, The star wheel 'lfi'" is provided with apendent hub portion 83 of ,suflicient diameter to ex end over the upperface j by "those skilled in the art. ates a'veitically disposed rocklever 8'! which is:

-ofjthe'braoket 34 adjacent 'theret'o' for limiting the downwardmovement of 'the stub shaft Hand the-disk I2; e

"It'will now be understood that when the star -wheel 1621s in theposition illustrated in Figure 2, in position to be'actuated by thedrive pin TI, the cam I9 will be alternately "moved from the inoperativeposition, indicated by full lines in Figure "6, out 'of engagement withthe roller 69 to the operative position, 'indicated'by broken dines insaid figure, into operative engagement with the roller whereby the arm64 is rocked about the axis of the spindle 51. Rocking of spindle 51produces movement of the "cam 55 from theinner or inoperative position,indicated by full linesin Figure 8, to the outer or operative positionthereof indicated by'broken lines in said latter figure. This "actuationof the star wheel 'fiii produceol by the drive pin 11 will occur uponeach revolution o'f the drive pin and'gear 33, so that during onerevolution of the gear 33 andthe spindle 2'9 'and'dial43 connected withsaid gear, the cam 56 will b'emaintained in its innermost position bythe action of the spring SIga'n'd duringthe succeeding revolution ofsaid gear, spindle and dial, the cam 56 will be moved to and main--'tained in its"outermost position against -the action or the-spring 6:1by the engagement of the eam 'I-U'With-fihe roller 69.

Ittherefore follows that, upon the third revolution o'f the gear 33 andmembers associated therewith, the star "wheel '16 will be actuated tomove the cam 10 outof'holding'engagement with th'e arm fifland'permitthe cam 56 to be returned "to and maintained inits innermostposition by the action "ofthe spring BI. This periodic moveinen tof thec'a'm"56 to ancrfrom the inn'er'positwns thereof isfor the purpose ofactuating the dial needles in conjunction with the cylinder nee- 'diesto produce 'ahalf cardigan ribbed fabric in 'the in'anner wliichwill"hereinafter 'be more fully explained.

' When it is desired toutiliz'ethe dial'needles '45 in the conventionalmanner in conjunction with the cylinder needles '3 I to produce a plainribbed faib'r icpitis' necessary to render the drive mechanism for thecam HI ineffective so'that the cam element 56 will be maintained in itsinnermost -p'o'sition, as by'the action ofthe spring 61 during"succeeding revolutions of the dial 43 and the 1? needles carriedthereby.

' The means'for accomplishing this result com- 'prises a cam '85secu'redin any well-known manner to the usual pattern drum 86indicateddia- "g'r'a'm'matically in Figure l-and which is driven by anysuitable mechanism (not shown) in prefdetermin'e'd "relationto therotation of the cylinden-3'9 and dial '43, as will be readily understoodThe cam 85 actupivetally'mounted upona suitable pin or shaft 88 securedto the frame of the machine, the lower end of the lever 87, as indicatedin Figure 4, may be provided'with a laterally disposed portion'89adapted to form a cam'follower for engagement with the cam '85. 'I'he"lever 81 is normally rock'ed about {its pivot '88 for maintaining thecam follower '89 in operative relation with the :'ca'm85 by a tensionspring 90 secured at one end *to'the lever above the pivot 88 and itsother end to-a relatively stationaryportion of the machine astheiframethereof. I

' The' upper end of the lever 81 is pivotally con- 'nected *to a thrustcollar 92 slidably mounted upon a horizontally disposed thrust rod '93.

The

acemes-s collar '92 is mounted intermediate a pair of pressure springs94 mounted upon thefirod '93 "be- 'tweena pair of collars '95 secured tosaid rod at opposite sides of the collar 92. The thrust rod 93 has oneend thereof provided with a sleeve '96 which has a socket 9! formedtherein. Socket 9-! receives one end of a drive pin 98 which extendsthrough anelongated slot 99 formed in the bracket -14 and into threadedengagement with the-disk 1-2, as illustrated in Figure 5.

It will now be understood that when the rock leverB'Ihas moved to itsrearwardposition by the cam 85, the disk I2 will be maintained in such a:position that the star wheel 16 will be in operative relation with thedrive pin 11. On the other hand, when the rock lever 81 is released bythe-cam -85, the disk I2 will be rotated with respect "to the bracket 14to bring the star wheel IE-out of operative relation with the'drive pin1-1 by Fforwa'rd movementof the thrust rod 93 produced-by the action ofspring 90 upon the lever -8:T. in other words, the star Wheel '16 willbe inoperative position, as indicated 'by'broken'lines in Figure 3.

' When" the star wheel I6 is thus moved from its innermost position toits outermost position, it 'will obviously'bemoved out'of engagementwith the hub =18 and, in order 'that'the star wheel be :ma'intain'edagainst accidental rotation when in its outermost inoperative position,we have provided 'the hub "83 of said star wheel witha'radially-disposed s'lot'Illowhich receives a lock plate :IIJI "securedto thebracket I4 atone side of the aperture I3, as:il1ustratedin Figures2 and3. Furthermore, the arrangement of'the'slot I09 and'lock'pl'atelfllwith'respect to each other and to the cam I0 is suchthafithe'star wheelTican be moved to its outermost "inoperative position onlywhe'n'ithe'cam "I0 is out of holding engagement with arm 54 and thusprevent injury to parts of the device which'migh't otherwise occurif'cam"! 0 should be intheoperative position when moved by rotation ofdisk "I2 toward roller 69.

'This is due to the peripheral "surface of hub or '"disk'83 coming into'"contact'with lock plate IOI s'hould the lever"81'ibe released by cam85 when "slot Hi0 :isout of alignment with the lock plate.This-engagement of the'dis'k and lock plate prevents action of spring"99'uponlever8'1 from rotatingdis'k 12 suflici'entlyto move the starwheel I6 out of op'era'itive relation with drive pin 11 until slot I00and lockplateIIlI align with each -other and cam I0 is in theinoperative position drawingor'hook part and the sliding latch forcast-off part 45. Theloop drawing part '45" comprises a'shank I93 havinga hook I04 at one end "facing upwardly and a groove I in its upperfacewhich slidably receives the lower side portion of the'cast off part 45'therein[ "I-he cast-off part 45 comprises a shank I06 provided with aforwardly extending hook I01 at one end and -a rearwardly extending hookI98 spaced a short distance rearwardly from the hook I01. These hooksI01 and I98 are adapted 'to cooperatewith'the yarn loop received ordrawn by the'hook I04 for maintaining said loops on the hook part 45"or'for casting said loops therefrom. The shank portion 106, in additionto having sliding engagement in the groove I05 in sired -to produce anarticle of hosiery such as the boot sock illustrated in Figure 20, thetransfer cam elements 48, 49 and 50 mounted in the dial housing 25 willbe moved to their inoperative position out of the path of travel of thedial needle butts 59 and 0, while the stitch cam elements and 52 will bemoved to the operative position for engagement with said butts of thedial needles.

Furthermore, it will be understood that the stitch cams 5| and 52 of thedial needles will function in cooperative relation with the usual camsfor the cylinder needles 3I for actuating both sets of needles toproduce a plain ribbed fabric in the usual manner when the cam element55 is in its innermost position in the recess 55-, as indicated by fulllines in Figure 8.

- Assuming that the machine is adjusted for making the illustrated bootsock shown in Figure 20, the principal operations are first, to beginknitting by cooperation of the dial and cylinder needles for a set upcourse; second, to make fabric for the welt W while needles of onesetremain idle; third, to knit the plain ribbed fabric R; fourth, tomake the half cardigan ribbed fabric C; fifth, to makethe plain ribbedfabric R. at the-lower end of the half cardigan ribbed fabric C; sixth,to transfer the dial loops to the cylinder needles; and seventh, tocomplete the sock "by" knitting the lower portion -ofthe leg, the heel,foot and toe for the sock on the cylinder needles.

By referring now to Figures 8 and 12 to 19, inclusive, it will beunderstood that when knitting the upper plain ribbed-fabric R of thesock, starwheel I6 will be maintained in its outer position and the cam55 will be maintainedby spring 45 butt 59 of the cast-off part 45 ofeach dial needle I5!v in its innermost position in recess 55; The

will travel through the outer cam track fiIl in the normal manner and.the path of movement of theouter end of eaohcast-oifmemberor, morespecifically, each rearwardly extending hook 108 will be substantiallythat defined bythe dot-and- 1 dash line MM when the dial needles arepassing from line A to line F.

Furthermore, the butt III! of the hook part .'.lof each dial needle willtravel in the inner cam track I I2 formed at the inner sides of thecamelements 52, 53 and 48, while the outer end or hook I64 of each needlewill travel substantially in the path defined by the full lineN-N duringthe period the butts I ID are passing fromthe line A to the line F. Inother words, as the butts 59 and .I It approach the plane of theline A,both the hook and cast-off elements of the needle will be moved to theiroutermost positions,

as indicated in Figure 12. v

At'the same time, the "cam structure for the cylinder needles 3I willmovethe cylinder needle adjacent the corresponding dial -needle 45 toits uppermost position for engaging the yarn Y. 'As' to 'form a cylinderloop and at'thesame time draw the yarn Y across the hook IM; of the dialneedle. The cast-off element 45' of the dial needle will also be drawninwardly so that as the dial needle approaches the line B, the elements45' and45" thereofwill be in substantially the position illustrated inFigure 13. That is, the hook Iiit of the needle will be in substantiallyits outermost position with the yarn Y resting in said hook while thedial loop previously formed on the needle will be engaged by the rearhook I58 of the cast-off element 45.

As the dial needle advances from the line B to the line C, both theelements 45 and 45" of the needle will be moved inwardly so that thedial loop X will be maintained by the hook I88 in engagement with theperipheral surface II3 ofthe dial 33 adjacent the groove 44 for saidneedle, as shown in Figure 14. At the same time, the inward movement ofthe hook element 45 of the needle will draw the yarn inwardly to form asecond dial loop X on saidneedle. Continued advancement of the dialneedle with respect to the cam element 52 from the line C tothe line E,causes cast-off element 55' to remain stationary with respect to thedial for holding the loop against the peripheral surface N3 of the dial,while the hook element 45" of the needle will move inwardly to completethe formation of the dial loop.

Iff other words, the needle elements will be in substantially theposition illustrated in Figure 18 when at line E, but instead of therebeing two loops engaged by the rear hook I08 of the castoff part, asillustrated, there will be but one loop engaged by said hook. As theneedleadvances from the line E to the line F, the hook element 45" ofthe needle will remain substantially stationary radially' of the .dialwhile the cast-01f element E5 will be moved outwardly by the engagementof the butt 59 thereof with the high portionof the cam 52. The outwardmovement -of the cast-01f element 65 will carry the dial loop Xsupported by hook I68 beyond the hook I04 and cast the same from saidlatter hook, as illustrated in Figure 19, thereby completing theformation of the dial loop which it will be understood is formed inconjunction with an adjacent cylinder loop produced by the cylinderneedle 3I adjacent said dial needle for forming a plain ribbed fabric ofthe sock.

It will be understood that during continued rotation of the dial needle45 from the line F back to the line A, the elements 45 and 45" thereof 1will be actuated in the conventional manner and as butts of the elementsagain engage the stitching cam elements 5i and 52 the needle elementswill be actuated in the manner just described to produce a second dialloop in combinationwith a second cylinder loop produced by thecorresponding cylinder needle 3I. At the end of the formation of theupper plain ribbed fabric R of the sock, the cam 56 will be moved fromits inner position shown by full lines in Figure 8 to its outermostposition shown by dotted lines in said figure by the engagement of camwith the rock lever-81, and rotation of cam Ill and arm 64 in the mannerhereinbefore described. As each dial needle now moves from line A toline F the path of travel of the hook I84 will be as beforesubstantially along line N"N, but the path of travel of hook I08 will bealtered or sube stantially along line M-OP--M.

'It will now be obvious that the operation'of the dial needle from theline A to the line C will '1 be the same as above described forproducing the plain ribbed fabric. That is, the hook element 45" willmove inwardly from the position shown in Figure 12 to the position shownin Figure l4,

with a: s cohd 'dial 100p X p'artially folm d there O n While thecast-air element 45" of the needle will be moved to itsinnermostpdsition for main taimng the previously formed 'dial loop X inenglagment with the rear hook 108; As the dial:

needleadvaiices irom' the line C; the hook el -meiit' 45 willcontinueits normalgradual inand cast-off elements thereof will be in theposi' tion illustrated iniFig u'relfi, whereby the loop X formerlycarried by the hook lllilwill be deposited therefrom back onto the hookHi4 of the d e eh h 45"- "It is now evident that the hook element 4. 5 1will continue its inward movement as the needle moves frorn the line:Dto the line F to complete 'f i hehqh. q: he se t-: e tha 1 h there willbe two dial loops carried hy the hook element during the movement of theneedle ibi e e at v rt o o h athq movement. As the needle againapproaches the line A, the hook element 4}? will again be moved utw rdin heh rme manner to n a e a n a se am i r gh b11130 oo .4. off

e di ee e y. he ownwa m e t the qrre p d hs. lin e need i As he dialneedle now moves from the line A tothe e B! wh e er-91f lem n .5 w l e mv wardly to bring the hook lil B with the twodial loops carriedhy thehook element, as shown in Figur 16. Continued movement of the needlefrorn the l'inejB to the line C causes the cast-off men .5. to on i e, tardi h v meh a id,

bring the two loops into engagement with the ad;

jacent peripheralsurface Il3. of th e di al 4 3,wh ile the hook le entwillhegin its inwardvmovement to forrn an additional dial loop, as illustrated in i ure 17,. When the dial needle eadie ubstant a l he i e C, heen a ement.

of the drivepin Hwiththe star wheel '16, will produce rotation of saidstarwheel and. eifect movement of the cam 56 fromits outermost poi ho wt nhermoshposit on,

It will now be apparent that as the needle moves from the line C totheline D, the castroff.

elementdfif willremajn in its innermost position and, at the same time,the hook element 45" will be movedto itsinnermost position tocoinpletetheformationofthe new dial loopX carriedthereby, asillustrateddn Figure 18. Astlie needle moves fromthe line D to the lineF,. the.

hook element. 4 5" will remain. in its innermost position while thcast-ofi element 45. will be. moved outwardly so as to cast thetwo-cylinder. loops X carried thereby from the hook element 45", asillustrated in Figure 19,

It now follows that the one dial loop. Will remain on the dial needlethrough the inoperative portion of its path fromthe line F baekpto. theline A th ehe. hook emen is. a n.

moved to the outermost positionto again engage the yarn Y Duringmovement of the needle fromthe line Ato theline C; theelements thereofwill movefrom the position shown in Figure12 to that shown in Eigure 1 tto partially form a new loop on the hook element and to move thepreviously formed .dial loop onto the hook 180i thitzast-foffielenieht451.

6 wees line C the drive. pin 11 will again engage. the star wheelllifahd produce' mov m nt?" the cam 'lflfto. 'again movfthecam 56 to itsai bag-1 most. position. Moyement' of'theheedle I: In

daiise the quick outwardmovement of the east-f ofifelemeiit 15 softhatl'the'loop carried thereby. will bedeposited upon'theh'ook lfigfof-the e1ment. 4.5, as illustratedt'in Figure 15 prior. to

1 aid ho'ok element it'eaohiiig innermost pei u. e

"These unusual and usual movements of the 2 ifdfif m iffi 5? ach 11. e lQ 135?. cast a, single dial loop carried thereby upon the 115i h okelement 4.5," durinone revolution ofthe,

need hhd h t q 's W 1 Qh r thereby 'from'ho'ok'element45f during thesec: ond revolution d'f'the dial needle toproduee a half cardiganribbed. fabric ma y co ntinue until 0:. the; seeti'orf C of" the leg ofsock has been cgdhipl 'eted' After this section C I A e o h 9?completed, the caniftlfi willhe moved out of en fi t i i h heme lever le n tat on. o th 15a .1 m :9; ee uates 25 eh l e fii iq fiiiq iqve he. tr heel from its innerm l iiet'ei ye os t o ll st ated inv full lin 1n,"Figur es 2;and;3' to its outermost mo -e e???- positloli, s. im-filed b ok ines. infhjigiirefif r q h f he qwer p ain ribbed hr q R: otthe.

qehf A t he. hire ain ihhesl. n tion. at h k eehesh a med. w l b un er;

$99 1 ha h hm. e ement 1-! and. 2' may be. Q; 9 i ivierdl upwardly nt herecess 41- fi. q lq e at v e ation i h. h ut sf t al; n edlesee Lhayhemoved downwardly with eh ch o ahhrepess int -.ope .ativ.e relation.with,

5 t1le bllt of ..the dia l needles for efiectinghtranse fer of thedialloops carried by, the dialneedles onto corresponding cylinderneedles prior. to. the.

upward movement oi cams 5, l and 51in the usual manner so that continuedoperation of the .knit- 59. tingmaehinemayproduce, the plainfabric of,the.

' owenp Qljlligllfli the legof thesockv and .theioot. rtio s. here f:

As above described. the .tuck on. half cardigan. stitches are formed by.the.dial.;needles.due to. 55 variationsinthe normaloperation.of.the.cast-.-off elements of theneedmsduring .everyother.revolu tionof r hedial.v It will be. evident, however,lthat.

the. sarneresultmay. be. obtained by either. vary:

thenprmaloperationof both the hookand. ee as fit ementsjot the. needles.during. every. other revolutionof the dial orhy. varyingthel'.

normal operation of .thehook. elementalone.

Fi ure 0,; we. have illustrated ,a. modified form of camvstructurewhichis associatedlwith. oq elst t h n am lement 5.2. for.varyingsthel,

" normal operation of both the hook and, castrofi elements of the dialneedles. during thev movemee .thQZQQLflQQ th Positio in i t l e t e ositon h oated. by. i e n. h Q. stru ure... l stra edm neFi ure. h c m.lermeet 52.. i ph ied ther n. a sw n am... 5.

T e outerv side faoel H5 andinner side face, LI 1;-

0i cam. H5 constructedso as to conforn in enerelf. Qii hn hhl eh al o.hat or. he... s e ew? pmeeh e. Po ition f e E am l. ou er n n er isi t aa e e eln r;

. 's ne msht hhe sta W e l: bri s he. ni t 2? 3 P th. pr msi he. dr ve.ih b heh he eh .6 i l be mai tai ed n. h ehe mq f Pdsithhhy. t e pr n.1. where- 99. hefili iheeqles i l uhetiohlm euusha ssfi r e i ih tiqh wihthe, y inder n ed es- Also, the transfer cam elements,

the corresponding portion of the conventional cam 52. The cam H ismounted in a transversely disposed recess I I8 formed in the cam element52 and has the rear end thereof secured to the lower end of the camspindle 51 so as to swing with said spindle above the axis thereof froma normal innermost position with the outer and inner side surfaces H6and Ill thereof in coincidental relation with the normal contour of thecorresponding portion of the cam 52 toan outer position with the camsurface IIS thereof projecting into the normal cam track 60 while theinner cam surface III of the cam extends outwardly beyond the normaladjacent surface of the cam 52. The cam II5 may be operated in the samemanner as the cam 56 by the action of the cam 10 upon the arm 64, asproduced b cam 85 or spring 90 upon lever 81.

When the cam H5 is in its normal innermost position, it will be observedthat the cast-off and hook elements 45' and 45" of the dial needles willmove in a conventional manner for cooperating with the cylinder needlesfor producing a plain ribbed fabric. When the cam I I5 is moved to itsoutermost position, the operation of the dial needle elements will bealtered from the normal operation thereof so that the outward movementof the cast-01f element 45', when passing from the position indicated byline C to that indicated by line E, will be less than when the cam 56 ismoved to its outermost position by the cam T0. That is, the cast-ofielement will be moved outwardly from its innermost position only adistance sufficient to cast off the dial loops X carried by hook I08. Atthe same time, the hook element 45" will not be moved inwardly as far aswhen the cam H5 is in its normal position, so that the hook I04 of theneedle element will be in position to receive thedial loops thereon assaid loops are cast from the cast-off hook I08.

In the structure shown in Figure 11, the castoff elements 45' of thedial needles will move through substantially their normal path, asindicated by line 1VI-M, Figure 8, during the formation of the halfcardigan stitch as well as during the formation of the plain rib stitch.The path of movement of the hook elements 45" of the dial needles will,however, be altered during alternate revolutions of the dial so that thedial loop carried by the cast-off hook I58 will be deposited upon thehook element 45".

The means for accomplishing this altered movement of the hook elementsof the dial' needles consists in providing a cam I25 which is mounted ina recess I2I provided in the inner side of the cam element 52 in closerelation to the rear end thereof. This cam I20 is mounted like cams 55and H5 upon the lower end of the cam spindle 51 so as to be alternatelymoved from the outermost operative position with the inner cam face I22thereof in substantially the plane of the normal corresponding face ofthe cam element 52.

When the cam I20 is moved to its innermost position, as indicated byfull lines in Figure 11, the inner cam face I22 thereof extends inwardlybeyond the corresponding cam face of the cam 52 and thereby permits thehook elements 45" to remain in sufficient outward positions to receivethe loop cast off the cast-off hook.

I58 during the normal operation of the cast-off element. It thereforefollows that inasmuch as the cam I20 is operated by the emotion of thedrive pin 11 and star wheel I6 from the outer most operative positionthereof to its innermost inoperative position during every otherrevolution of the dial, the dial-needles will function to,

produce a cardigan stitch during said every other revolution and toproduce a plain rib stitch when the cam is moved to its outermostposition during the intermediate revolution of the dial. a

As hereinbefore stated, the mechanism and operation of the dial needlesthus far described are adapted more particularly for a single feedknitting machine. If it is desired to utilize a twofeed machine to forma half cardigan ribbed fabric, this may be readily accomplished by usingcam 56 or cam I I5 or cam I20 in conjunction with the cam mechanism forone of the feeds, while the knitting cam mechanism for the other feedremains as conventionally constructed. When one of these cam elements isthus asso ciated with the knitting cams of one feed in a two-feedmachine, the cam is moved to its opera tive position for effecting atuck or cardigan stitch at the beginning of the knitting of the halfcardigan ribbed fabric and will remain in said operative position untilthe knitting of the half cardigan ribbed fabric is completed.

Upon the completion of the half cardigan ribbed fabric, the cam elementis moved to its inoperative position so that the dial needles may beactuated by the cams of both feeds in conjunction with the correspondingcylinder needles to produce a plain ribbed fabric. This movement of thecam may be readily accomplished by connecting the thrust rod 93 directlywith the outer or free end of the rock arm 54, asindicated at I24,

Figure 9. When the thrust rod 93 is thus connected with the arm 64, saidcam will be operated directly by the action of the cam or'spring uponthe lever B! to and from the operative position thereof.

While there has been shown and particularly described the preferredembodiments of our invention, we do not wish to be limited to the exactconstruction shown as various changes, both in the form andrelation ofthe parts thereof, may readily be made without departing from the spiritof the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a single feed knitting machine having complementary sets ofknitting needles arranged for knitting a plain ribbed fabric, theneedles of one of said sets being each composed of a hook member and acast-off member relatively movable with respect to each other, knittingcams for moving the parts of said needles respectively to draw singleloops and to cast off said loops, in combination, drive mechanism forproducing relative movement of the needle parts and said knitting cams,an additional cam adapted to be' moved into relation with said needlemembers to move them respectively to draw two loops successively and tocast off said two loops simultaneously for the purpose of knitting halfcardigan wheel into and out of operative relation with the driveelement.

3. In a knitting machine of the single feed type employing two sets ofneedles and operating meanslfor. producing relative. movements. of theneedles ,for knitting a plain ribbed ;fabric ,,one,of" said; sets.having two-part: needl s. 01 311 84; .tolz carry an old loop from thesecondpamandoyer a new 1 0; onsaid. seeondparh.ther peratine m ans nludi g; a; cam.- m chanism. associated. wi h the worp rtln dles havgacamelemento dap ed o: be; moved nto relation; with atlleast n oit epar so z he n edlesofisa don ;sento: alt-er the m vem nt .or I aidlater; part; withlee. spect to he t er; ne dle. part to. naint in. the. dioop nezse ond. 5 1 231 with thel ew; 00p, and actuatin meansitermittently pen ated by.saidcp ratiname n f r l er at rzmow. inasaidcam elem nti ntaandt nt .Qfisaid;r la;. tion; w th'said one oftheneedletpa tst,

In .a. kn tine aehine. fi he two-iced; yn mpl ng. wo etsmi need esea dioperat n mean r: od nsm a ye. movem nts-oi: he edl s r knit ng tplainrib edfa i neoi-r aid: ts; hay n art nee es; n ar tor. arry n. l on ronlhe ecenda artand over a; ew. 01 1 aidv econd inert other eratin neensmduine. ar mznieehanis w the t artneesilesmaw e 41 54 1 1: leme t &9 e ev zn o; la ion M h: at least ne i hea t ie ee lesof ai lc e e li n heme meno aidlatter;par w hv esDBCt othe othenneedle, part ;to maintain the oldloo-p on the second part with the new loop, and actuating e ns, p r ed.y a p ti means for moving, the camelement ,into said-relationwith one ofthe needle parts, at the end of the knittin eof theplain ribbed fabrictoproduce ahalfcardigan ribbedfabric and to move said cam element out,of said relation with said one. of the needle parts at the, end oftheknitting of e'hali rdisan ribbed b c- 5. In a knitting machine havinga $61 501? knitting; needles of thetworpart type, ahook part and; acastofi -partislidable with respect ;to said hook. part at the open sidethereof, operating mechanism-including a, pair oicam tracks engageablewith butts on-the needle parts respectively for actuatingsaidneedleparts, in combination, a movable cam. element associatedwith oneof said cam tracks to constitute a portion. thereof, said cam elementbeing of suchv acharacterthat when in'one position; the needle parts ofthe. butts engaged bythe latter track are 011-. erated the usual mannerto produce. a plain. stitch; and when in a,sec ond position the normal,operationof-said latterneedle partsis; altered to cause the, needleparts to produce a tuck stitch, and means for moving the cam elementfrom. oneto-f. said positions to the other,

6.,'A,kni tting machine as defined inclaim, 5 wherein said latter meansincludes apair of drive members, one of said drivemembers beingconnectedwith the operatingmechanism to be actuated thereby, and meansoperatively connecting the other drive member with the. cam element andwit h the first mentioned drive membensaid drive members and connectingmeansbeing so, constructed and arranged that they intermittentlyfunctionto periodically producesaid movement ofth'e cam, elements,

'7;;A knitting machine as defined in-claim 5 wherein said lattermeansincludesa pairof drive members, one of. said drivemembers beingconnectedwiththe operating mechanisrnto be actuated thereby, and meansoperatively connecting the other drive member with the cam element,vsaid drive members andconnecting; means being so constructed. andarranged hat h yfin e tmitw tently-function to. periodically producesaidmovementof; the cam. element, andtmeans. for pro-v ductin movement. ofone of. said drive members with, respectvtothe other drive. member tobring 5;. said members into. and out .of cooperative. driving relationwith ,each other,

n ;.k i.ttin ..maohinehaving a set 'ofknittively for actuating. said.needle. parts, in com-- bination, -a: .moyabl e camelementassociatedwith 3bQi}hj OI Sal d' camtracksto constitute a portion thereon saidpam,elementxbeing. of such a character, that ;.whenin .one. position theneedle parts of each needle are operatediin. the usual man- V n er toproduce. aplain stitch .and when in a sec- 0Il lzPQitionthenormaloperation of both parts. of eaeh needle. is ,alteredsto cause saidneedlep rtsto. produce a tuckrstitch, andmeansformoving the. cam .element fromone of said positions to the. other. 25.:

g driven members being. so constructed andarranged. that they.intermittently engage each other to periodically produce said movementofth cam. element.

lO; In.aknitting machinehaving aset of' 5:;needlesof the two-part type,a-hookpart and a; casteofi'. part relatively. movablewith respecttoeeach other, two. cam tracks for-moving theparts of-said needlesrespectively, drive mechanism;comprising separatesup-portsfor the cam-;tracks and needle parts and-a shaft'connected with one of said supportsfor producing relative movement of said parts of each needle-withrespectto. each other, amovable cam element'associatedwith at least one.of said camtracks to 5 constitute a. portion thereof, andmeans for 'mov-1ng;said camelementto alter said relative movement;of.* the needletpartsto produceeither a plain stitch or. attack.stitclrincludinganactuating;member connected with the cam-element,

shaft; to move therewith, an means adapted to be inter said second.actuatingmem action on the firslrmenti 5 ber for periodicallyprodu thecam element.

bar and having a-cam oned 1 actuating mem- .11; ,A .knitting-omachineasdefined-in claim 10- having means. for moving thesaidseparateoperating means .into .and:out of cooperative re- 60, latiorr. with .thefirst and second mentioned acturespectively. to draw'loopsandto cast offloops-,

saidscam means including. a cam element adapt- .ed to be moved intorelation with at least oneoi said: parts For the needles of saidonecarrier--to move them .with respect' to-eachother todraw I two loops..sucessivelyand to-castofi 1 said two :for the-purpose of knittingloopssimultaneously 7 5; half cardigan. ribbed fabric.

on partslidable. with respect to said 9... A knitting. machine. as.definedin claim 8 wherein said latter means: includestwo pairs ofcoacting drive and driven .membersoperatively connected with. the. camelement and with the operating mechanism respectively; said driveandasecond actuating member connected withsaid d separate-operatingmittentlyactuated bycingsaid movement of 13. In a knitting machine ofthe class described having complementary sets of knitting needlesarranged in cooperative relation with each other, the needles of one ofsaid sets being each composed of a hook part and a cast off part at theopen side of the hook part relatively movable with respect to eachother, cam means for actuating said needles to produce a plain stitch,said cam means including cam element-s associated with the hook and castoff parts of said latter set having movement with respect to each otherso constructed and arranged that upon said relative movement of said camelements the normal operation of at least one of said needle parts ofsaid last mentioned set may be altered with respect to the other needlepart of the same set so as to produce a cardigan stitch, and means forproducing said relative movement of the cam members.

14. In a knitting machine of the class described having complementarysets of knitting needles arranged in cooperative relation with eachother, the needles of one of said sets being each composed of a hookpart and a cast off part mounted at the open side of the hook partrelatively movable with respect to each other, cam means for actuatingsaid needles to produce a plain stitch, said cam means including camelements associated with the hook and cast off parts of said latter sethaving movement with respect to each other so constructed and arrangedthat upon said relative movement the normal operation of at least one ofsaid needle parts of said set may be altered with respect to the otherneedle parts of the same set to produce a cardigan stitch, and meansincluding an intermittent drive mechanism for producing said relativemovement of the cam elements at the end of successive knitted courses toproduce tuck stitches.

15. In a knitting machine of the class described having complementarysets of' knitting needles arranged in cooperative relation with eachother, the needles of one of said sets being each composed of a hookpart and a cast off part at the open side of the hook part relativelymovable with respect to each other, in combination, cam means foractuating said hook and cast off members in predetermined order forproducing a plain stitch, said cam means'including a movable cam elementof such a character that the normal operation of said latter needleparts will be altered upon movement of the cam element from a firstposition to a second position, and actuating means for moving said camelement from one of said positions to the other at the end of con-- 7needle parts, a movable cam element associated with at least one of thecam tracks to constitute a portion thereof, said cam element being ofsuch a character that when in one position the needle parts are operatedin the usual manner to produce a plain stitch and when in a secondposition the usual operation of the parts of each needle with respect toeach other is altered to cause said needle parts to produce a tuckstitch, and means for moving the cam element from one of said positionsto the other.

17. A knitting machine as defined in claim 16 wherein said latter meansincludes a pair of drive members, one of said drive members beingconnected with the operating mechanism to be actuated thereby, and meansoperatively connecting the other drive member with the cam element andwith the first mentioned drive member, said drive members and connectingmeans being so constructed and arranged that they intermittentlyfunction to periodically produce said movement of the cam elements.

18. A knitting machine as defined in claim 16 V wherein said lattermeans include two pairs of coacting drive and driven members operativelyconnected with the cam element and with the operating mechanismrespectively, said drive and driven members being so constructed andarranged that they intermittently engage each other to periodicallyproduce said movement of the cam element.

19. A knitting machine as defined in claim 16 wherein said latter meansinclude two-pairs of coacting drive and. driven members operatively-

